No-overflow toilet

ABSTRACT

A non-overflow commode having a float- or pressure-operated switch sensitive to an abnormal water condition in the commode and a valve or the equivalent operated by the switch to prevent the flushing system from emptying into the toilet when a clog in the plumbing lines exists. Where multiple toilets on successive stories of a multi-story building are drained into a common trunk line, an electronic circuit is used to interconnect the toilets such that blockage of a lower toilet prevents the flushing of all higher toilets to prevent a back-up problem from higher toilets.

United States Patent [1 1 Albertson Dec. 30, 1975 NO-OVERFLOW TOILET[76] Inventor: James F. Albertson, 813 Pleasant Lane, National City,Calif. 92050 [22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1974 21 Appl. No.1 513,554

[52] US. Cl 4/1; 4/67 R; 4/249 [51] Int. Cl. A47K 17/00 [58] Field ofSearch 4/67 R, 67.4, 34, 1, 57 R, 4/249 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 2,056,087 9/1936 Andrews 4/67 R 2,061,310 11/1936Kleiser, Jr... 4/67 R 3,393,408 7/1968 Martin I 4/1 3,719,957 3/1973Riedel 4/1 3,719,958 3/1973 Wilhelm 4/1 Primary Examinerl-lenry K. Artis[57] ABSTRACT A non-overflow commode having a floator pressureoperatedswitch sensitive to an abnormal water condition in the commode and avalve or the equivalent op erated by the switch to prevent the flushingsystem from emptying into the toilet when a clog in the plumbing linesexists.

Where multiple toilets on successive stories of a multi-story buildingare drained into a common trunk line, an electronic circuit is used tointerconnect the toilets such that blockage of a lower toilet preventsthe flushing of all higher toilets to prevent a back-up problem fromhigher toilets.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30,1 75 SheetlofZ 3,2,8'74

WATER SUPPLY SOLENOID ACTUATED VALVE Sheet 2 of 2 Dec. 30,1975

US, Patent 1 No OVERFLOW TOILET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Blockage oftoilets and the subsequent overflow is a common problem and results in amost unsightly and unsanitary situation, and where a number of toiletsdraining into a common trunk line are disposed on successive stories ofa multi-story dwelling, the blockage of the trunk line beneath one ofthe lower toilets will cause the back-up of sewage from each highertoilet into the lower toilet, which can cause an almost "continuous flowof sewage into the affected bathroom which will clearly causeconsiderable damage if the condition remains undetected for asubstantial time period.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above recitedproblem and involves in its simplest form a valve or otherflush-blocking mechanism in the toilets fresh water supply system whichis closed upon being energized by a switch which is sensitive to eitherpressure or a high water level in the toilet, so that the toilet flushsystem is automatically disenabled upon the occurrence of a potentialoverflow condition. For the protection of bathrooms in a multi-storybuilding from back flow of sewage from upper level toilets, anelectronic circuit is provided to disenable all the toilet flush systemson higher floors than the affected commode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation view,partially cut away, of a typical toilet installation with the overflowprevention system;

FIG 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 15

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the system;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but showing analternative external float type switch;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a pressure diaphragm type switch;

FIG. 6 is a partially cut away side elevation of a typical toiletshowing a pressure switch in an alternate location;

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away side elevational view of the toiletmounting showing a pressure switch disposed in a sealing member; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a representative circuit used with aplurality of toilets in a multi-story building. i

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A typical residentialcommode is illustrated in FIG. 1, having a fresh water supply line 10having a manually operated valve 12 therein and leading to a watercloset 14. The water closet is normally provided with a float valvestructure, which is not shown, to shut off the water flow from thesupply line, and an outlet in the bottom of the water closet is sealedby a cup, not shown, which is suspended by a chain from a control handleassembly 15 which is operable externally of the water closet to flushthe toilet. When the handle is turned, water cascades through the watercloset outlet into the toilet bowl 16 and is usually distributed aroundthe bowl rim by a canal 18 with spaced parts 20. The flush assemblythusfar described, including the supply line 10, the water closet, theoutlet therein and the 2 necessary valves are termed generally the flushsystem for purposes of the appended claims.

The remaining water system of the toilet is termed the evacuationpassageway in the description and Claims and includes the toilet bowland the connected drain line 22. The upper portion 24 of the drain linehas a downwardly inclined or hooked portion 26 which connects with thetoilet bowl 16 so that when the commode is flushed, the water overflowsinto the drain line and a combination of inertia and siphon actionevacuates the bowl without the use of valves.

The invention in its basic form comprises two parts which may be ofseveral different configurations. First,

an electric switch which is activated by an abnormal water condition isprovided in the evacuation passageway, and second, a means is introducedinto the flush system to render it inoperative in response to a voltagereceived when the switch is activated.

Several variations of the switch assembly are shown, the first beingafloat-operated switch 28 having a pivotal float element 30 which isdisposed in the toilet bowl itself slightly above the normal water line31 and is journalled through a sealed bearing 32 in the side of the bowland connected to the switch element 34 which is mounted in a suitableprotective cup 36. A similar switch assembly 38 is shown in FIG. 4, inwhich a cup 40 is mounted externally of the toilet bowl and contains aplunger operated switch element 42 activated by a float 44 which iselevated by the ingress of water from the toilet bowl through a duct 46which is disposed slightly above the normal water level 31 in the toiletbowl.

Both of these switches are connected in typical fashion to an externalpower supply as diagrammed, in FIG. 3, and are in off" condition untilthe toilet bowl water rises above normal, in which case the switches areactivated and pass current to a blocking means in the flush system. Itwill be understood that during a normal flushing of the toilet theseswitches may be activated for a brief periodduring the initial rise inthe toilet bowl water level, and is taken into consideration in choosingthe particular blocking means as detailed hereinafter.

In order to avoid fouling of the switch assembly by the toilet water, apressure switch 48 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 5 may be usedinstead of the float switches outlined above. The pressure switch isinstalled in a cup 50 on the outside of the toilet bowl and the switchelement 52 has a plunger 54 which extends into contact with a diaphram56 which is sealed in a hole 56 which is cut into the side of the toiletbowl. The pressure switch may be mounted adjacent the water level or inthe drain line 22 as illustrated in FIG. 6, in which case it would besubject to little or no pressure when the toilet is flushed, butsignificant pressure would exist when a clog occured due to the heightof water above the switch.

A slight variation of the pressure switch is shown in FIG. 7, in whichthe pressure sensitive element 60 of the switch extends through a.sealing compound 62 which is used to seal the length of drain line inthe toilet to its continuation beneath the floor 64 of the building.

The particular one of the above mentioned switches which is used iselectrically coupled to a means in the flushing system to block the flowof water into the toilet bowl one such blocking means, diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 6, is a solenoid 66 mounted within the water closetand having a plunger which prevents operation of the handle assembly 15.The solenoid would be practical for use in conjunction with one of theswitches disposed at the waterline, since activation of the switchduring a normal flush would not prevent one load of water from emptyinginto the toilet bowl, but subsequent flushing would not be possibleshould the water line fail to recede to the normal level after flushing.The other switches could also be used in conjunction with the solenoid66.

The other blocking means comprise solenoid driven shut-off valves, onebeing illustrated at 68 in the supply line and the other being mountedat 70 at the water closet outlet. The valve 70 would not be suitable foruse with one of the water line switches as it would interfere with anormal flush, but would be ideal for use with one of the pressureswitches mounted in the drain line as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 sincethese switches would never be triggered except when a clog existed inthe line.

The blocking means in the flush system would not be effective inpreventing the back-up of sewage from the drain line, which can happenin a multi-story building in which toilets on different stories areconnected to a common vertical trunk line and the blockage occurs in thetrunk line. In this event, the lowermost commode above the clog willreceive all the sewage from the upper level toilets as they are flushed.To prevent this situation, a circuit is provided, as illustratedschemmatically in FIG. 8, which activates the blocking mechanisms of allthe toilets above the lowermost toilet in the affected part of the trunkline but does not effect toilets onlower floors.

Other electronic arrangement than that illustrated are clearly possiblewithin the scope of the invention. In the illustrated embodimenthowever, a circuit is shown which is designed for a four-story building,with the switches and valves in the toilet being indicated by S and Vrespectively followed by a number indicating the story of the building,on which the toilet is located. A common power supply 72 which could beused to serve all the toilets even without the multi-story cooperativecircuit is wired to all the switches and valves as shown such that anyindividual switch which is triggered would activate the associated valveor blocking means and prevent the flushing in that particular toilet.

A second power supply 74 is connected to the three transistors 76 whichreturn to ground through the valves, which represent a resistance, sothat the valve side of each transistor, as well as the transistor baseswhich are grounded through the lines 78, would normally be at groundpotential so that the transistors would be in a non-conductive state. Ifone of the toilets becomes clogged however, for example the second storytoilet, a voltage is dropped across the V valve causing a potential toexist at the base of the central transistor, which will then conduct acurrent from power supply 74 across valve V causing a voltage drop and apotential to exist at the base of the uppermost transistor, and soforth, so that all the valves above the second story level will beactivated and shut off, but the valve on the first story toilet willremain unaffected.

It will be understood that the particular circuit of FIG. 8 may bealtered with the addition of any diodes, resistors, and other circuitrywithin the electronic art to perfect the functioning thereof. Theinvention lies primarily in the use of the circuit in conjunction withthe valves and switches as disclosed in a multi-story 'commode situationrather than in the circuit by itself. Also, the invention will functionproperly on any type of toilet and is not restricted to the water closettypeillustrated which is popular in dwellings.

I claim:

1. An improvement in a commode having a waste evacuation passagewaycomprising a toilet bowl with a drain line communicating therewith and afresh water flush system having an outlet into said bowl and valve meansto control the flow of water therethrough, said improvement comprising:

a switch assembly mounted on said commode and activated by an abnormallyhigh water condition therein; and

water flow blocking means mounted in said flush system connected to andoperated by said switch to prevent the flow of water therein when saidswitch assembly is activated by an abnormally high water condition insaid commode.

2. An improvement according to claim 1 wherein said flush systemincludes a water closet having an outlet in the bottom thereof and saidvalve means is operable by a flush handle assembly mounted on said watercloset, and said blocking means comprises a solenoid mounted on saidwater closet and having a plunger disposed to block said handle toprevent the movement thereof when said solenoid is activated by saidswitch.

3. An improvement according to claim 1 wherein said switch assembly ismounted on said toilet bowl and includes a float pivoted thereto andoperably connected therewith such that the rise of water in the toiletbowl beyond a predetermined level activates said switch.

4. An improvement according to claim 3 wherein said flush systemincludes a water closet having a water supply line connected thereto andsaid blocking means comprises a valve in said supply line.

5. An improvement according to claim 1 wherein said blocking meanscomprises a valve at said flush system outlet.

6. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said switch assembly includesa cup mounted on the external surface of said toilet bowl to define anenclosure therewith adjacent the normal waterline in said bowl, saidbowl has a duct therethrough slightly above the normal waterlinecommunicating with said enclosure, and said switch assembly is disposedin said enclosure and is operated by a float.

7. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said toilet bowl has anopening therein and said switch assembly comprises a pressure operatedswitch extending therethrough into the toilet bowl.

8. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said drain line has an openingtherethrough and said switch assembly is pressure operable and extendsthrough said opening.

9. An overflow prevention assembly for a plurality of commodes disposedon successive stories of a multiplestory building, each of said commodeshaving an evacuation passageway including a toilet bowl and a drain linecommunicating therewith, and a fresh water flush system having an outletinto said bowl and valve means to control the flow of watertherethrough, each of said drain lines being connected to a common trunkline, said assembly comprising:

a plurality of electrical switch assemblies, one being mounted on eachof said commodes and capable of producing an electrical signal inresponse to an abnormally high water condition in the respective 6cessively higher commodes in the multi-story building, whereby anabnormally high water level in any one of said commodes will block theflush systems of every higher commode.

1. An improvement in a commode having a waste evacuation passagewaycomprising a toilet bowl with a drain line communicating therewith and afresh water flush system having an outlet into said bowl and valve meansto control the flow of water therethrough, said improvement comprising:a switch assembly mounted on said commode and activated by an abnormallyhigh water condition therein; and water flow blocking means mounted insaid flush system connected to and operated by said switch to preventthe flow of water therein when said switch assembly is activated by anabnormally high water condition in said commode.
 2. An improvementaccording to claim 1 wherein said flush system includes a water closethaving an outlet in the bottom thereof and said valve means is operableby a flush handle assembly mounted on said water closet, and saidblocking means comprises a solenoid mounted on said water closet andhaving a plunger disposed to block said handle to prevent the movementthereof when said solenoid is activated by said switch.
 3. Animprovement according to claim 1 wherein said switch assembly is mountedon said toilet bowl and includes a float pivoted thereto and operablyconnected therewith such that the rise of water in the toilet bowlbeyond a predetermined level activates said switch.
 4. An improvementaccording to claim 3 wherein said flush system includes a water closethaving a water supply line connected thereto and said blocking meanscomprises a valve in said supply line.
 5. An improvement according toclaim 1 wherein said blocking means comprises a valve at said flushsystem outlet.
 6. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said switchassembly includes a cup mounted on the external surface of said toiletbowl to define an enclosure therewith adjacent the normal waterline insaid bowl, said bowl has a duct therethrough slightly above the normalwaterline communicating with said enclosure, and said switch assembly isdisposed in said enclosure and is operated by a float.
 7. Structureaccording to claim 1 wherein said toilet bowl has an opening therein andsaid switch assembly comprises a pressure operated switch extendingtherethrough into the toilet bowl.
 8. Structure according to claim 1wherein said drain line has an opening therethrough and said switchassembly is pressure operable and extends through said opening.
 9. Anoverflow prevention assembly for a plurality of commodes disposed onsuccessive stories of a multiple-story building, each of said commodeshaving an evacuation passageway including a toilet bowl and a drain linecommunicating therewith, and a fresh water flush system having an outletinto said bowl and valve means to control the flow of watertherethrough, each of said drain lines being connected to a common trunkline, said assembly comprising: a plurality of electrical switchassemblies, one being mounted on each of said commodes and capable ofproducing an electrical signal in response to an abnormally high watercondition in the respective commode; means in said flush systems toblock the flow of water therethrough in response to an electricalsignal; electronic means capable of delivering a signal from each ofsaid switch assemblies to each respective blocking means and theblocking means of all successively higher commodes in the multi-storybuilding, whereby an abnormally high water level in any one of saidcommodes will block the flush systems of every higher commode.